Friday, January 17, 2020
At AgeGuide we advocate for effective laws and policies that support aging at home and in the community. These activities are designed to induce a change in attitudes and stereotypes, legislation and policies around older adults and those who care for them. We aim to keep you informed about federal and state legislation that impacts older people and our services. Here’s an update on current legislative activity and events.
2020 Spending Bill
Congress passed a massive bill to fund fiscal year 2020 Federal programs and the President signed it on January 20th, narrowly averting another government shutdown by an hour and a half. The appropriations bill includes several increases for Older Americans Act programs as well as other key aging and supportive programs such as Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program, LIHEAP, and the Community Services Block Grant.
Congress has a few weeks off from budget and appropriations negotiations before February when the President will send them his new fiscal year 2021 budget to begin the whole process again. It’s unclear how the Senate’s impeachment trial or recent international events will affect the election-year budget cycle.
Older Americans Act
The House passed the Dignity in Aging Act to reauthorize the Older Americans Act in October. It is now up the Senate the finalize a bill. At this point, Aging Committee leaders, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), have introduced a bipartisan re-authorization bill – an important step toward final re-authorization. It has yet to be voted on by the full Senate.
Join the Conversation!
AgeGuide will be holding three Advocacy Breakfast Collaboratives in communities around our service area. We welcome elected officials, aging network providers, local partners & concerned citizens for a community discussion about current issues facing Illinois older adults, caregivers & families. Our theme this year is, Working Together for an Age and Dementia Friendly Illinois! We will be discussing topics such as the needs of family caregivers, social isolation of seniors, and the 2020 Census.
Register online to join us!
Mon, February 10, 2020
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet
333 North Madison Street
Joliet, IL 60435
Fri, February 21, 2020
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Eola Community Center
555 S. Eola Road
Aurora, IL 60504
Mon, March 2, 2020
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
The Garlands of Barrington
1000 Garlands Lane
Barrington, IL 60010
Illinois Legislative Updates
The Pension and Consolidation Bill (SB 1300 ) which aims to make a small dent in the state’s pension crisis, was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in late November. The law is estimated to add $300-$400 million a year in state revenue.
The Insulin Bill (SB 667) was sent to the Governor for signature early in the new year. The bill would limit the total amount that an insured person is required to pay for a covered prescription insulin drug to $100 per 30-day supply of insulin, regardless of the amount or type of insulin required by the prescription.
